Harry Melling (actor)

Early life

Melling was born in London. His maternal grandfather was actor Patrick Troughton, best known for his role as the Second Doctor in Doctor Who. He is also the nephew of actors David Troughton and Michael Troughton, and the first cousin of cricketer Jim Troughton and actor Sam Troughton. Melling attended St Paul's Primary School and Mill Hill School. He was a member of the National Youth Theatre. He trained at the London Academy of Music and Dramatic Art.

Career

In his early career, Melling starred in stage productions of The Provoked Wife, King John, Antigone, and Plenty. He appeared in five of the Harry Potter films as Harry Potter's spoiled cousin Dudley Dursley. In 2009, he starred in a revival of Mother Courage and her Children at the Royal National Theatre. He appeared in an episode of the BBC series Merlin entitled "The Sorcerer's Shadow", playing a young warlock named Gilli who intends to use magic to help him win Camelot's legendary tournament. He also played Robert Brown in the BBC series Just William.

In October 2009, it was announced that Melling had lost so much weight since his last appearance in Harry Potter that he was now "unrecognisable". His role as Dudley Dursley was almost recast for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1, but Melling reprised the role by wearing a fat suit. He commented positively about the change, "I can now shed the child actor thing, like the fat, and start a new career, because no one sees me as Dudley."